A ChartDB alternative for live PostgreSQL diagrams
ChartDB and dbdiagramr both turn an existing database into an ER diagram in the browser. The difference is the import: ChartDB asks you to run a metadata query and paste the result, while dbdiagramr connects to PostgreSQL directly and draws the real schema in under 10 seconds. No query to write, no JSON to paste.
Last updated: 2026-10-20
| Feature | dbdiagramr | ChartDB |
|---|---|---|
| How you import a schema | Paste a PostgreSQL connection string | Run a metadata query, paste the JSON result |
| Needs database credentials | Yes - a read-only connection string, used for one request | No - the query runs on your machine or client |
| Reads the live database directly | Yes | No - works from the query output |
| Time to first diagram | Under 10 seconds | Seconds after running and pasting the query |
| Databases supported | PostgreSQL (including Supabase, Neon, Railway) | PostgreSQL, MySQL, SQL Server, SQLite, and others |
| Row Level Security status | Yes - per table on live connections | Not part of the diagram |
| Licence | MIT | AGPL-3.0 |
| Signup required | No | No for the free editor |
| Price | Free, no diagram limit | Free tier; paid plans for teams |
| Export | SVG and PNG | SQL |
| Best for | Seeing a PostgreSQL database that already exists, fast | Editing schemas and working across several database engines |
When to choose dbdiagramr
- Your database is PostgreSQL and you want the diagram to match production without running a query by hand.
- You are onboarding, debugging, or documenting and need the schema on screen immediately.
- You want to check which tables have Row Level Security enabled while you look at the relationships.
- You prefer an MIT-licensed tool with no account and no diagram limit.
When to choose ChartDB
- You work across MySQL, SQL Server, SQLite, or several engines.
- You want to design and edit a schema, not only inspect the current one.
- You cannot share database credentials with any browser tool and prefer to run the metadata query yourself.
Frequently asked questions
Is dbdiagramr a good ChartDB alternative?
Yes, if your database is PostgreSQL and you want the diagram to come straight from the live database. Paste a connection string and dbdiagramr renders the schema in under 10 seconds, with no query to run and no JSON to paste. ChartDB is the better choice if you need MySQL or SQL Server, or want to edit a schema rather than just inspect it.
Does dbdiagramr need database access?
Yes. dbdiagramr connects with the read-only PostgreSQL connection string you provide. It reads table and column metadata from pg_catalog, not row data, and the connection string is used for a single request and then discarded. ChartDB takes the opposite approach: you run its metadata query yourself, so the tool never gets credentials.
Is dbdiagramr open source?
Yes, under the MIT licence. The source is at github.com/VarunKvK/dbdiagramr. ChartDB is also open source, under AGPL-3.0.
Does dbdiagramr support MySQL or SQL Server?
Not yet. dbdiagramr focuses on PostgreSQL, which covers Supabase, Neon, Railway, and most modern Postgres stacks. ChartDB supports several database engines.
Is dbdiagramr free?
Yes. Every diagramming feature is free, with no diagram limit and no account. A Pro plan for saved diagrams, version history, sharing and multiple schemas is in development; there is no price and no checkout yet. Nothing you visualize is stored or published.
Try the direct-connect approach
Paste your PostgreSQL connection string and get an interactive ER diagram of your own schema in under 10 seconds. No signup required.
Try it free →